District 158 begins search for next academic chief

HUNTLEY – District 158 has begun the statewide search for its next academic chief, but Superintendent John Burkey has mixed feelings about filling the position.

Chief Academic Officer Mike Moan earlier this week was named the new superintendent of Woodstock District 200 after spending 17 years at the Huntley school district. He leaves District 158 on June 30.

Burkey has seen Moan go from a high school dean to the district's top academic administrator in the eight years Burkey has led the district.

He credited Moan for lifting student achievement and improving the district's curriculum review process since starting as chief academic officer in the 2010-11 school year.

"I'm very happy he got the job in Woodstock," Burkey said. "I'm not happy we are losing him, but he's ready to be superintendent."

A graduate of Woodstock High School, Moan will replace retiring District 200 Superintendent Ellyn Wrzeski on July 1. He was selected over two other finalists, determined from a pool of more than 60 applicants.

In replacing Moan, District 158 will look for someone with strong leadership skills and knowledge of various subjects to help move the district forward, Burkey said.

Officials want to hire someone within the next couple of months to start in July, he said. The district this week had already posted ads on its website and a statewide job-searching website.

"It's a tough job ... You have to be the right person to lead all kinds of curriculum," Burkey said. "You need to know a lot."